Grandmaster Sam Lonewolf

     Sam Lonewolf, Hanshi was born during the Wani Weti Wi (the Moon of Starting Winter) of 1949. It was discovered at birth, that he was given a double whammy; by being born with both German measles and Polio, besides being a premature baby. So life in the beginning was not easy. Yet there were a lot of good times too.
Hanshi was well loved by both of his parents, and they also gave him all the chances that any normal child had. But! Because of not being a healthy child in early childhood, he was still picked on by children bigger than him. So Hanshi’s father began to teach him a form of self-defense that he learned in Hawaii while he was stationed there as a Military Police. This form of self-defense was called, GoShin Jitsu (a form of Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jui Jitsu). Staff Sergeant John Chow Hoon taught this form of self-defense to Hanshi’s father. Staff Sergeant John Chow Hoon went on to become known as Professor John Chow Hoon, a very respected martial arts teacher.
     This form of self-defense was very instrumental in the development of Hanshi’s physical body. For this, Hanshi will always be grateful. By the time that he was twelve years old, he had already lived on four military bases on two continents. In his early childhood, Hanshi was introduced to Professor Masayuki Takahama, where he began training in Nihon Te Jiu Jitsu and Kodokan Judo. It was in Jiu Jitsu that Hanshi earned his first Black Belt. This was on December 18, 1968 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Professor Takahama taught Hanshi that not only could he overcome any and all obstacles, but also that he could heal his body with a proper mind and spirit. It is the basis of his teaching today, that a person must be strong physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
     Shortly after receiving his Shodan, Hanshi entered into the U.S. Army on January 29,1968. He was sent to Fort Benning, Ga. He went through Basic Training, A.I.T., and Jump School. Upon completion of his training at Fort Benning, he applied for medic school and was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Upon completion of Medic School, was sent to Schofield Barracks, in Hawaii. But before leaving for Schofield Barracks, he went home on leave. While visiting his parents, Hanshi was awarded his Shodan Rank, in GoShin Jitsu by his father. When his leave was up, he reported in at the Schofield Barracks. After being stationed there for six months, he moved off base and into the Armed Forces YMCA, on Hotel Street in Honolulu. While being stationed in Hawaii, Hanshi had the privilege to meet Professor Thomas S.H. Young. After talking with him, Professor Young allowed him to study and train with him. Hanshi also got to visit and train with other Senseis/Sifus while in Hawaii. He trained with the Ewa Kenpo Karate School founders and teachers - Professor Jaime Abregana, Sr.; Professor Frank Suan, and Isaac " Ike" Kawaa and Professor's Abregana's assistants Clarence Oki and Roy Halmos, with the Kajukenbo teachers at the Armed Forces YMCA. So respect is always given to his root in martial arts, which comes from Hawaii. Professors and their instructors, like Professor Thomas S.H. Young, Professor Joe Habuna and Professor Jaime Abregana, Sr. and all those I have forgotten to mention, I say thank you for the bottom of my heart.
Upon returning to the mainland in March of 1972, Hanshi was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington for RVN Training. Upon completion of his training, he went to serve in country for fifteen months. Upon returning to the States, Hanshi was sent back to Hawaii, where he served the remainder of his enlistment. While there, he continued to train with Professor Young, and other Professors. Upon completion of his enlistment, Hanshi returned to the mainland. Hanshi went to live with his mother’s sister in Northern California and help her train her Tennessee Walkers. It was while in northern California with his aunt, that he opened his first martial arts dojo. Before returning to the mainland, Hanshi had earned his second and third dan with Professor Young.
     While living in Northern California, Hanshi got to meet another wonderful Master, who set many wonderful examples of what a good martial artist was. This Master was and still is a wonderful teacher, his name is Richard "Dick" Willett, and he also got to meet a wonderful teacher, by the name of Al Tracy. Grandmaster Al Tracy has the best mind when it comes to teaching and managing a martial arts dojo. Along with Master Willett, Al Tracy has been instrumental in promoting Hanshi through his growth and progress in the martial arts. Hanshi lived in Hawaii for a total of nine years.
     Once as a child and twice as an adult. Through them, Hanshi has achieved the rank of eighth dan today in Kosho Ryu Jiu Jitsu. And even though Hanshi has primarily training in Kosho Ryu Jiu Jitsu, he has also trained in U.S.A. Goju, Shotokan Karate, Hakko Ryu Jiu Jitsu and in Goshin Jiu Jitsu. He has obtained ranking in Shotokan, in Hakko Ryu, and Goshin Jiu Jitsu. He is very grateful to O’Sensei Michael De Pasquale, Sr.; Grandmaster Thomas La Puppet; Grandmaster Peter Urban, Professor Ronnie Duncan; Grandmaster Arron Banks, Grandmaster Dr. Moses Powell. And there are many more that set the examples that he follows today. Hanshi will always be grateful to the solid advice that has been given to him by them and also the young master like Michael De Pasquale, Jr. God bless those who have taken the journey, Louie Delgado and Malachi Lee. These Grandmasters, Masters, Professors, Sensei’s, and Sifu are the ones who taught him along with traditional teachings, the true meaning of Wisdom, Bravery, Fortitude and Generosity.
     On March 15, 1981, Hanshi began the formation of what was to become known as Sunkmanitu Isnala Wokicize Wakagapi/Ipiiki Bujutsu. Back then it was and is still called Native Indigenous Fighting Arts. Today in the martial arts, we have a few Grandmasters and Founders of their own systems of fighting. Here are a few: Soke Adrian " Chief" Roman; Sigung Chujen Tall Bear; Sigong Robert Red Feather; Professor Jaime Abregana, II; Professor Jedan Figueroa; Sifu Jack Farr and the first Soke - Dr. John J. Williams. These men have set the examples that we as First Nation People of Turtle Island must follow, and we must strive to keep the flame alive; so that the next seven generations of martial artist will succeed and be fruitful. So that we never again have to face the problems of loosing our children to alcohol, drugs and suicide. May, all who read this, walk in beauty every day of their life and be blessed.